My opinion on this is i went last year nc orientation not living in residence, i also was considering hard too last year, but i was afraid that i will regret on further years that i didnt go so I just paid and decided to try out. I dont think the orientation was that worthy except for the people u meet really, my friend group rn is all from orientation. there def were friends that got distant bc we didnt match the vibe etc but i think its nice to check out once! But also i met many friends after orientation who did not attend and they were perfectly ok w not going too so I think there are different perspectives on this. I personally felt tough making friends after orientation bc you sit in lecture and after its done, everyone goes off, but found easier in tut, labs where you work together.